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NFPB calls for de-escalation in relation to North Korea

Submitted by Co-ordinator on Fri, 2017-04-28 21:25

Northern Friends Peace Board’s trustees met today and agreed to send the following to Theresa May, Prime Minister, and to Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary. The same will also be sent to leaders of the main opposition parties.
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Friday 28th April 2017

We view with increasing alarm the mounting tension regarding North Korea. For the first time in generations, nations’ leaders are talking about the first use of nuclear weapons as an appropriate response to a deteriorating international situation. History is witness to millions of deaths across the globe as a result of the language of escalation.

We urge the Government to do its utmost to use diplomatic and non-military approaches to de-escalate the tensions. The possible humanitarian and environmental consequences of crossing the nuclear weapons red-line, for the region and indeed for the planet, are barely imaginable.

Whilst we are rightly appalled by the use of chemical weapons in Syria, the scale and duration of human suffering arising from nuclear warfare would be many thousands of times worse. This cannot and must not be an acceptable way of dealing with issues in the 21st century. Humankind is better than that, and humanity and all life on earth deserve better.

Saturday 4 —
Peace History Conference: 1917 —
Salford. - a day exploring the effects of the Russian Revolutions on the British labour and peace movement. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/peace-history-conference-1917-tickets-35782127306

October 2017

Thursday 19 —
Why War is No Solution to World Problems —
with Wayne Sharracks of Veterans for Peace 7-9pm Talking of Peace, Friargate Meeting House, York [email protected] http://www.yorkquakers.org.uk/news.html

Saturday 28 —
Creating a better world: Some lessons for the next 25 years —
Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR)'s 25th anniversary conference - London - http://www.sgr.org.uk/events/creating-better-world . -
With the world facing heightened risks - the conference will draw upon some of the latest research to look at what could be achieved in the not-so-distant future.

Saturday 21 —
Take Action on Militarism —
at FriendsHouse in London: Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW) and ForcesWatch are launching a pack on taking action on militarism in the UK - workshops, speakers etc. Booking via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/take-action-on-militarism-gathering-tickets-35697378821

Saturday 7 to Saturday 14 —
Keep Space for Peace Week —
WORLDWIDE. Join the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space as they commemorate Keep Space for Peace Week. Events happening across the UK, as well as the rest of the world - more information to follow. http://www.space4peace.org/

September 2017 to October 2017

Saturday 30 to Monday 16 —
Edinburgh World Justice Festival —
Theme of two weeks of events "Creating Hope Through People Power" Full programme of events - many with a peace focus - and information - http://www.ewjf.org.uk/

September 2017

Thursday 14 —
Pontefract public meeting on Nuclear Convoys —
Hosted by Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - 19:00–21:00
- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/161722344388003 - This meeting is being organised by Yorkshire CND in conjuction with local residents, and is for anyone who is interested in, or would like to find out more about nuclear convoys. It will be in St Joseph's School hall. All are welcome, and refreshments will be provided.

Monday 4 to Monday 11 —
STOP THE ARMS FAIR - WEEK OF ACTION —
with the main focus of events being at the Excel Centre, Docklands, London, during the week of *4-11 September*, there are also activities before and after, including Art the Arms Fair and vigils in other parts of the country. "*Full listing of related events*":https://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/events/

Tuesday 5 —
Stop the Arms Fair – No Faith in War —
. Faith groups of all kinds will come together for a day of prayer and nonviolent direct action against the arms trade and war profiteering. ExCeL Exhibition Centre, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL.020 7281 0297 https://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/events/stop-the-arms-fair-week-of-action/ or https://www.caat.org.uk/events